Legislature approves Gov. Ivey plan for COVID relief cash

MONTGOMERY — Alabama lawmakers agreed Monday to give back Gov. Kay Ivey control over the state’s $1.8 billion in coronavirus relief funds, ending a public tug-of-war over the money that strained the relationship between the Republican governor and some senators.

Lawmakers approved Ivey’s executive amendment on a spending bill that deposits the money into several broad categories such as $300 million to reimburse state agencies for coronavirus expenses and $250 million to local governments. The administration will decide how to use it

Legislative leaders will get advance notice of large expenditures but have no power to stop it. However, the money can only be shifted to different categories with approval of a committee of legislative leaders.

“I thank the members of the Alabama Legislature for supporting this amendment and for ensuring this money helps the people of Alabama who have been harmed by this disease,” Ivey said in a statement.

The Alabama Senate voted 30-1 to accept the amendment. The House of Representatives approved it in a 73-1 vote. Lawmakers concluded the 2020 session with the votes.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he voted ‘yes’ in order to get the money quickly to those who need it, but Marsh said he was concerned the Senate was left out of negotiations with the governor’s office and the House.

“We have to look at the big picture here. We’ve got to get these dollars to the people that need them as quickly as possible,” Marsh said after the vote.

Ivey’s amendment put the money into different categories, including up to $300 million to reimburse state agencies for coronavirus expenses; $250 million to local governments; $250 million for health care services; and $300 million to support citizens, businesses and nonprofit and faith-based organizations.